Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are questions and answers about Compliance,
Safety, Accountability (CSA) that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA) compiled to assist the public. As questions come in through the website,
FMCSA adds them to the database along with their answers. If you do not see your
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The FAQ area has recently been enhanced. Users can now search FAQs by stakeholder
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What are the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs)? Which
violations correspond to which BASIC?
Answer
The Safety Measurement System (SMS) is organized into seven BASICs, which represent
behaviors that can lead to crashes. The BASICs were developed based on information
from a number of studies that quantify the associations between violations and crash
risk, as well as statistical analysis and input from enforcement subject matter
experts.
The BASICs are defined as follows:
- Unsafe Driving — Operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers
in a dangerous or careless manner. Example Violations: Speeding, reckless driving,
improper lane change, and inattention. (FMCSR Parts
392 and
397)
- Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance — Operation of CMVs by drivers who are
ill, fatigued, or in noncompliance with the HOS regulations. This BASIC includes
violations of regulations pertaining to logbooks as they relate to HOS requirements
and the management of CMV driver fatigue. Example Violations: HOS, logbook, and
operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. (FMCSR Parts
392 and
395)
- Driver Fitness Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV
due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. Example Violations:
Failure to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver's license and being medically
unqualified to operate a CMV. (FMCSR Parts
383 and
391)
- Controlled Substances/Alcohol — Operation of CMVs by drivers who are impaired
due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Example Violations: Use or possession of controlled substances/alcohol. (FMCSR Parts
382 and
392)
- Vehicle Maintenance — Failure to properly maintain a CMV and prevent shifting
loads. Example Violations: Brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, improper
load securement, and failure to make required repairs. (FMCSR Parts
392,
393, and
396)
- Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance — Unsafe handling of hazardous materials
(HM) on a CMV. Example violations: leaking containers, improper placarding, improperly
packaged HM. (FMCSR Part
397 and U.S. DOT HM Regulations Parts 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179 & 180)
- Crash Indicator — Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including
frequency and severity. It is based on information from State-reported crashes.
(
link)